Creating a Career Development Plan

I used to think my portfolio had to impress other designers. So I filled it with sleek mockups, polished animations, and endless case studies. It looked beautiful...But it didn’t land me clients. Why? Because clients don’t hire you for aesthetics. They hire you for outcomes. 🚫 Too many portfolios still look like it’s 2015: → Pretty mockups → Trendy layouts → 10-second Behance loops But here’s the hard truth: Clients don’t care how cool it looks. They care what it does. 💡 Ask yourself: → Does my portfolio solve real business problems? → Am I showing results or just visuals? → Is it written for clients or for other creatives? What actually works in 2025: ✅ Highlight before/after results (data if possible) ✅ Explain your thinking, not just your tools ✅ Tailor your portfolio to your ideal client, not your peers Because great design isn’t just about craft It’s about clarity, strategy, and trust. ✨ Your portfolio shouldn’t be a gallery. It should be a sales tool. One that shows the value you bring, not just the vibe. 💬 Got a portfolio tip that worked for you? Drop it in the comments, let’s help each other grow. 📌 Save this if you’re about to redesign yours. It’s not about looking good. It’s about landing the right kind of work.

Product design portfolios are +95% content design. Because portfolio web patterns are established. Recruiters judge your content design skills: Your ability to design mock-ups Your ability to write engagingly Your ability to tell a visual story Your ability to present yourself Your ability to catch attention Not on your product design skills: Your ability to design interactions Your ability to synthesize insights Your ability to design interfaces Your ability to prototype & test Your ability to solve problems Because recruiters view portfolios in 1 minute. And I get it. If you often had 100s portfolios to review: → How long would you spend on them? You'll probably also take 1 minute max. So, make your recruiter's life easy: - Use pixel-perfect mockups - Keep your portfolio simple - Show your best work first - Build your writing muscle - Pick a beautiful font type - Display your personality - Learn to catch attention And if you lack inspiration. Look at these 8 product design portfolios: 1. chriswelch. co (Christopher Welch) 2. trevornielsen. com (Trevor Nielsen) 3. heybengeorge. com (Ben George) 4. abdussalam. pk (Abdus Salam) 5. yamilah. com (Yamilah Atallah) 6. arifhuda. com (Arif Huda) 7. bpowell. co (Ben Powell) 8. perryw. ca (Perry W.) Don't copy their portfolios. But steal like a true artist. Collect some inspiration. And develop yours by: 1. Actively documenting your design work 2. Creating snippets (headline + visual) 3. Publishing the snippets on LinkedIn 4. Iterating based on performance 5. Turn these steps into a habit Within a few months: → You'll build a library of proven content → You'll iteratively create your portfolio → You'll attract inbound opportunities → You'll develop content design skills → You'll grow a network of designers And maybe even your portfolio. Try this habit for 30 days. PS. What's your favorite product design portfolio? 

Tired of employers not seeing your value? The "Portfolio Strategy" will fix that (in 7 simple steps): [Context] Companies hire people for one reason: They believe they'll bring the most value to the role. Resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn are traditional ways to illustrating that value. But they're not the best. If you're struggling to see results with them? You need a portfolio. 1. Choose Your Platform First, choose the place where you'll host your content. I recommend a place that: - Allows you to create the way you want - Maximizes your visibility If you're job searching, it's tough to beat LinkedIn. Medium is another solid option. 2. Identify Your Target Companies Next, brainstorm your list of target companies. You're going to be researching them and creating value that's directly tied to their goals, challenges, and vision. I recommend starting with 3-5. Bonus points if they're in the same industry. 3. Align Your Projects Start with one company. Research the heck out of it from a high level. Then dive deeper into researching the specific product and team you're targeting. Your goal is to identify: - Goals -Challenges - Initiatives Learn as much as you can about them. 3a. Align Your Projects (Examples) Marketer? Perform site audits and recommend 3 ways for companies to get more leads. Software Engineer? QA your favorite apps / tools to identify bugs or improvements. Graphic Designer? Refresh the branding for your favorite products. 4. Map Out The Process Start with your methodology: Why this company / product? Break down your research, brainstorming, and solution process. Find and include reputable data. Project outcomes / ROI if you can. Finally, make a compelling case. Don’t just summarize, sell! 5. Show Your Work Now turn that process into content! Write up a "case study" showing: - The problem / opportunity - How you identified it - Your solution(s) - How you came up with them - The process for implementing them When it's ready, hit publish! 6. Share Your Work Now your case study is out in the world! First, add it to your LinkedIn featured section. Next, break it down into bite sized pieces of content. Start writing posts around: - Your research process - Your solutions process - Insights you came across - Etc 7. Systematize It This works best when you consistently work at it. Create a daily schedule and commit to it. Before you know it, you’ll have a body of work that includes *real* results and clearly illustrates your value. That’s going to get you hired!

The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature At first glance, the image is peaceful—two small birds perched on a fresh branch, guarding their carefully woven nest. It’s raining lightly, but the scene feels calm, almost serene. Look closer, though, and you’ll notice something wrong. Inside the nest, coiled quietly, is a snake. Not just an intruder, but a hidden threat sitting in what’s supposed to be the safest place. That’s the workplace, sometimes. You might join a company that looks healthy from the outside. The leadership smiles, the benefits sound good. But underneath the surface, something’s off—management is disorganized, growth is blocked, or coworkers play dirty. Like the birds, you think you’re protecting your future, but you’re unaware there’s something inside that can eat it alive. The nest, typically a symbol of security and comfort, becomes the very thing that hides the danger. The lesson? Don’t assume safety. Verify it. Just because a job seems stable doesn’t mean it is. Hidden risks can include: • A toxic team dynamic • No clear path to advancement • Leaders who say one thing and do another In this metaphor, the snake isn’t just danger—it’s misalignment. It’s taking a role without asking the right questions. It’s trusting the appearance of a workplace instead of watching how people behave when pressure hits. The birds are another lesson. They’re focused on defending the outside—peering into the distance, staying alert for obvious threats. But they’ve missed what’s right in front of them. That’s common in a career: people watch the market, scan LinkedIn, listen to trends—but ignore internal warning signs like burnout, poor mentorship, or bad communication. Rain in the image symbolizes external pressure—layoffs, shifting industries, shrinking budgets. But the real threat isn’t from outside. It’s internal, quiet, and easy to miss if you’re not looking closely. The key takeaway? Pay attention to what’s inside your “nest.” Be honest about your work environment. Ask tough questions before taking a job. Don’t mistake quiet for safe. And if you find a snake,deal with it before it coils tighter. Your career depends on it.

We all know we're supposed to "show instead of tell." But most design portfolios fail to do this and here's why. 👇 Designers love showcasing their raw work in their portfolios including outputs or deliverables such as: → Sketches → Diagrams → User flows → Wireframes → Sticky notes → Journey maps But to be honest, 90% of the time, I have absolutely no idea what is going on in those images. For example, I'll often come across a screenshot or picture of 25+ sticky notes, but: → They are too zoomed out. → If I zoom in, they're too blurry. → Even if I can seem them, they're too overwhelming. Then I start asking myself questions such as: → Am I supposed to read every sticky note? → What's important about these sticky notes? → Is this worth my time and attention to decipher? This is where storytelling comes in. What if instead of showing a raw zoomed out screenshot of sticky notes, we instead pulled out the key highlights and takeaways? Then we can guide the reader's attention to what's actually important, and optionally include a link to the original raw image afterwards. This creates a far more compelling narrative for our audience (hiring managers and recruiters), and ensures we're showing the right level of detail that is necessary to understand the story. Now to be clear, I'm not saying you should entirely avoid raw images or assets (or even raw Figma files). For example, these can be effective during the interview process because the designer can use their voice to guide their audience through the image. But when it's an online written case study submitted with an application, then you won't be in the room when a hiring manager first sees it. In that moment, your story will need to stand on it's own. It will need to communicate the right level of clarity and detail to compel the hiring manager to offer you an interview. In summary, when we want to "show instead of tell", that doesn't mean slapping a raw screenshot or image in our portfolio. It means reflecting on how we're using our words and images to give context, clarity, and tell an impactful story. Use it effectively to your advantage. What are your thoughts? #ux #design #portfolio #casestudy #storytelling

Most careers stall for 1 reason: People stop learning. They wait for the company to invest in them. Or for their manager to set up training. High performers, on the other hand, don't wait. They treat learning as part of the job - Even when the workday ends. Not endless study, Just small, repeatable habits - that compound. Here are 11 that make lifelong learning automatic: 1. Keep a "Questions" Note on Your Phone ↳Anytime you wonder about something, jot it down. Research one nightly 2. Replace the Doomscroll ↳Replace 30 minutes of dead scroll time with a course or podcast 3. Teach What You Learn ↳Write a short post, Loom, or explain it to a peer 4. Reverse Engineer Great Work ↳Take an article, pitch, or deck you admire and break down why it works 5. Shadow Someone 2 Steps Ahead ↳Don't ask for mentorship - just observe 6. Then, DO Ask for Mentorship ↳Say: "I admire how well you do X - would you mind coaching me on that?" 7. Run Tiny Experiments ↳Pick one skill and test it live this week 8. Force Repetitions by Tracking ↳For writing, word count. For sales, calls made. Progress is fuel 9. Do "Learning Sprints" ↳One focused topic for 30 days, then switch 10. Revisit Old Material ↳The second read often hits deeper than the first 11. End Your Day with Reflection ↳One line: "What did I learn today?" The compounding effect is real. Small reps + every day = Mastery. Agree? --- ♻️ Share this to inspire other life-long learners. And follow me George Stern for more personal growth content.

Most portfolios fail in the first 10 seconds. Here’s why: I'll tell you exactly when I know a portfolio won't make it past my screen. The moment I land on "Hi, I'm a passionate designer who loves solving problems..." Listen. I've already read your CV. I know your name, your experience, and where you're based. I don't need a repeat performance. What do I need? To see if you can actually design. Here's what happens when I review portfolios: I have 10 seconds to decide if your work is worth 5 minutes of my additional review and hours of the interview process. And you're wasting those seconds telling me you "love design." Of course, you love design. You're a designer. That's expected. Show me this instead: → Your work / style / taste (Immediately) → The problems you've solved → The impact you've created → Your actual design thinking When I land on your portfolio, I'm looking for: First impressions that matter. Is it accessible? Any animations that show craft? Does it load fast? Can I navigate intuitively? Your portfolio IS the first design problem I see you solve. And if you can't design for me, your user, why would I trust you with my users? What actually gets you hired: ✓ Business context as a stage setting ✓ Your specific role (not "I did everything") ✓ Team composition and timeline ✓ The REAL problem you solved Not 20 personas. Not 50 wireframes. Not your entire design process is outlined. Give me: - 2-3 key research insights - 1 example of iteration that mattered - The final solution (3 screens max) - Actual impact or expected metrics Here's the brutal truth: I don't care about your design philosophy. I care if you can move my metrics. Design isn't just about beauty or experience. It's about business impact. Show me you understand that balance: - Skip the autobiography. Start with your best work. - Make me think "I need to talk to this person". Not "I need to read more about them." Your portfolio should work like your best designs: Clear. Intuitive. Impactful. Remember: I've hired dozens of designers. The ones who got offers? They showed me their thinking through their work. Not through their "About Me". Designers, what's the first thing visitors see on your portfolio? Time for some honest self-assessment (and a potential change).

Too many designers still build portfolios like it’s 2015. → Pretty mockups. → Endless case studies. → 10-second Behance animations. But here’s the harsh truth: Clients don’t care about how cool it looks. They care about what it does. They’re not hiring your creativity. They’re hiring your impact. Ask yourself: → Does your portfolio solve real business problems? → Does it show results, not just visuals? → Does it speak to your ideal client or to other designers? Design has evolved. So should your portfolio. What actually works in 2025: ✅ Show before/after impact. ✅ Explain the thinking, not just the visuals. ✅ Tailor your work to whom you're trying to attract. A modern portfolio builds trust, not just “aesthetic vibes.” It tells a story. It converts. It’s not a gallery. It’s a sales tool. P.S. Share your best protolio tips here in the comments 👇

Inner Development The Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework is a comprehensive model aimed at fostering personal and collective growth to meet global challenges, particularly those outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I'll often refer to this framework in my coaching when exploring specific areas for individual and team development. The IDG framework is composed of five key dimensions: 🧘🏽♂️Being: Cultivating qualities like mindfulness, presence, and a sense of purpose to enhance personal well-being and resilience. 🤔Thinking: Developing cognitive skills such as critical thinking, long-term perspective, and embracing complexity to make informed decisions. ♥️Relating: Fostering empathy, compassion, and effective communication to build stronger relationships and communities. 🤝Collaborating: Encouraging teamwork, co-creation, and inclusive leadership to drive collective action. 🏃🏽♀️Acting: Promoting courage, integrity, and commitment to translate values into impactful actions. The IDG framework is particularly relevant for leaders as it provides a holistic approach to leadership development. Embracing the IDG framework helps leaders move beyond traditional success metrics, focusing instead on sustainable growth for individuals, organizations, and communities.

Are you really happy in your career, or are you just stuck in a path because it’s comfortable? Our priorities shift, and so should our careers. It’s not weak to change direction. It’s a sign of growth and a willingness to align what you do with who you’ve become. 9 Steps to Changing Your Career Path: 1. Reevaluate your priorities ↳ Does your current job align with what matters to you now? 2. Identify your core values ↳ What do you stand for today? Does your career reflect that? 3. Understand the financial impact ↳ What’s the real cost of switching? How will it affect your lifestyle? 4. Leverage your existing skills ↳ How can you apply what you already know in a new industry? 5. Network with those in the field ↳ Learn from people who are already doing what you want to do. 6. Test the waters ↳ Take on side projects or freelance work to get a feel for the change. 7. Update your personal brand ↳ Revamp your LinkedIn and resume to reflect your new direction. 8. Set clear goals and timelines ↳ Make the transition with purpose and action. 9. Let go of the past ↳ Release limiting beliefs about your career and identity. The best time to pivot is when you feel that discomfort. It’s a sign of something better ahead. When was the last time you thought about changing your career?